Description

The Cruise... no, not exactly. I didn't cruise this route at all, in fact I got stumped on it for a few minutes and though it was hard for the 5.9 grade it was given.

This fine climb starts on the ledge as for Sunrider, but just a ways down and to the right of it. Start off of the ledge on the large north-facing wall to the right of the route Upstairs dihedral. Climb up to and through a crack that will take you around the arete to the right-hand side (west facing).

Climb the lower-angle rock on the right of the arete, through small holds. Pass a bolt and then climb up and right to a few placements for gear, then over left through to top of the Upstairs dihedral, to the bolt anchors above Sunrider.

The area around the bolt is insecure and the pro may be a distance from you at a few odd moves.

To descend, rap from the Sunrider anchors or top out and scramble and walk to the southwest to the rough trail, which leads back to the base.

Protection

Standard rack with a bolted crux. There are some insecure moves up some way above gear, so this is probably safe, but not a route to trifle with.

The rock you place gear in before the bolt is a little junky. I was hoping for a fat cam placement before the slab, but all I got was a #2 nut and a #2 RP. Luckly, you can step to the right a place gear w/ a 4ft runner to protect the moves to the bolt. A tricky #2 Camalot placement can be had after the crux, before you start the bushwack to the anchors.

This climb would be 2 stars, but bushes and pine needles at the top subtracts a star.

We were going to try this one, but did the start and said "no way, Jose", ended up doing Upstairs Dihedral instead, which is much more direct to the anchors. Maybe not R or S rated, but it sure looks like a bad fall if you mess up.

I did this in '02 and got scratched up by the bushes after the crux. I looked at it today, and there are some very big, healthy bushes there now. Anyone done it lately? Looks like it'd be hard to get through....